July 2012 Bonus Issue - Page 27

How to Buy on Craigslist and Score Great Deals
By Erika at Free Money Wisdom
Craigslist is the mecca for buying used items from your neighbors for a fraction of the cost you would pay at a retail store. Craigslist isn’t just filled with junk, as some may have you believe, high-end items can be found from top of the line Bugaboo strollers to Pottery Barn furniture, used cars sold by owner, and gardening supplies.
Craigslist is like an online garage sale, with the convenience of shopping from your own home. After many years of selling and purchasing items off Craigslist, I’ve narrowed down a few key tips about how to buy on Craigslist and score great deals.
Narrow your search
Most people looking to buy on Craigslist are looking for a specific item. You can search on Craigslist through the search bar at the top and you can type in a few keywords for your item. For example, if you’re looking for a mirror for your hallway, you can type in ‘mirror.’ However, you most likely have a more specific idea in mind. You may want a brown mirror. And you might want it to be round rather than square. Typing in ‘brown round mirror’ will help narrow your search to the items that will fit the description you’re looking for.